The parents of the boy who was sexually molested by his elementary school teacher condemned the East Penn School Board last night for supporting the teacher at his sentencing. They asked the district to adopt a policy to prevent sexual abuse of children, and demanded to know why the School Board didn't fire him.

Alan Zavacky, 39, of 995 Donald Drive, Emmaus, a teacher at Lower Macungie School, pleaded no contest June 3 in Lehigh County Court to two counts of indecent assault and corruption of a minor. He was sentenced July 22 to nine to 18 months in jail on charges of sexually molesting the student. The incidents allegedly occurred three times in 1983 and 1984.

As part of the plea bargain, he agreed to resign from the district. The board accepted his resignation at the Aug. 11 meeting and permanently terminated him as a district employee.

The couple's and victim's attorney, Thomas Turczyn, reading a prepared statement, said: "Their son was molested in an environment that they as parents felt was one of the safest places any of their children could be found - in his school. Not only was their son violated but they feel violated because the trust and confidence that they had in their educational system was shattered by a representative of that system . . . ."

The victim's mother fought back tears and clutched her husband's hand as the statement was being read.

Later, she told a reporter, "I have children and I can't send them into that school. And everyone in this community should know their children aren't safe when people like this allow it to go on."

Because of the incident and publicity, the couple and their three children are planning on leaving the area.

The couple attacked members of the School Board and administration for supporting Zavacky at the sentencing by Lehigh County Judge Maxwell Davison.

"For members of this school district or any school district to show public support of such a teacher is a direct slap in the face to the victims of such repugnant behavior," said Turczyn.

Board President Colin Snyder said that throughout the investigation, trial and sentencing, the board tried to maintain a detached viewpoint.

"I did go to the sentencing because I wanted to resolve in my own mind some of the problems that had occurred up until this time. I can only that say I'm glad it's all over. Iregret that you feel that this was a sign of support. We did go into the courtroom, but we didn't go in on any particular side. We were ushered in, and we sat down," said Snyder.

The boy's mother responded by saying that school officials could have walked into the courtroom before Zavacky came in, but that they did not.

"They did so in unison (behind Zavacky) and the attitude they walked in was reflected so that Judge Davison addressed them. You walked in - 53 of you - someone counted - 53 administrators in this community in which our children are supposed to walk into those buildings and feel safe," said the mother.

The parents asked for a policy that would allow the board to "review the performance of teachers and to investigate allegations of sexual abuse and fire those teachers guilty of sexually abusing children." They also called on the board to adopt a policy of doing nothing to support anyone sentenced for being a child molester.

Board members did not address either proposed policy.

The parents also asked that the board investigate and determine if Zavacky's actions constitutes a violation of his employment contract and school code to deny him pension rights or benefits.

In response to the parents' request, solicitor Howard Yarus said: "No investigation is necessary. We've done all we can do. He's been dismissed. This is a personnel matter and immediately upon being called to the attention of the school district the cautionary steps were taken to protect the children."

When pressed for details of the steps by a reporter, member Phyllis Koze said, "We can't discuss what steps were taken. It's a personnel matter."

While the board maintained that Zavacky was terminated, the parents strongly disagreed with their statement.

"You did not terminate him. Heresigned. He resigned later than 48 hours after he was instructed to by Judge Davison. He was given 48 hours. I know there were administrators in the courthouse that day. I cannot understand why, as a school board, you didn't act on that and terminate him. We were told the only way he could be terminated and removed from the teaching profession was if we were to press charges. We did that and received no support. Not one ounce of support when he was found guilty."